Stories from Christchurch

Read stories and get inspired! Share a cycling story and inspire others to get out and ride!

Commuting to work (and back!

I decided not to own a car a few years back, and just rely on my bicycle for getting around.

It's been quite good for me, as I'm a lazy person, and if given the option, I might cave and u... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Beat the traffic - encourage others along for the ride

Beat the traffic - encourage others along for the ride

Leave the car at home, stay away from the petrol station for a month or more. 25mins to work in car, 29mins on the bike on the best day. Powered by craft beer and pizza!

More bikes at wo... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story Poetry in motion

Poetry in motion

How staunch a cyclist are you?
Do you bike in rain or snow?
Do you own a fluoro jacket?
Have your cheeks a healthy glow?

Perhaps you are a ‘wannaʼ
Wanna travel urban styl... read more

Topic: Other

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I'm just out riding my bike!

When a serious faced road cyclist has a slow day they call it 'recovery'. A commuter just calls it Friday.

Topic: Other

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Best and worst road on my commute

Blenheim Road is both awesome and awful for commuting. Minimal parking means there's far less risk of dooring, and the traffic tends to create a nice draught regardless of the wind.

So ma... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Wildlife incounters on night ride

During lock down to maintain shift separation I had to do night shift. On my ride home over a week I encountered two possum and was confronted by a rat that decided he had more rights to the path I... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story Creating Memories

Creating Memories

Here we all are, ready to make some memories on a recent family trip to Hanmer.

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story Child hood memories to be created

Child hood memories to be created

I have my memories of riding to school. And now i want my kid to make those memories. When i was walking along his biking then either i was dictating and my boy was thinking i am biking so only i ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Nostalgia Bike Gang

Nostalgia Bike Gang

It's getting to be quite the institution, the annual "Bike gang" ride from various parts of Christchurch to the Nostalgia Festival at Ferrymead. Today was my first time going to the festival and of... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story You’re doing really well

You’re doing really well

So after a big crash on my bike, I was getting back on the proverbial horse. Cardrona on Saturday, Skyline Gondola Sunday and Glendhu Bay on Sunday. At Cardrona, I rode a track that I refused to ri... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Northern Corridor cycleway is awesome

I took advantage of Saturday afternoons open day for the new Christchurch Northern Corridor. Headed from Edgeware Rd, joined at the Cranford St roundabout, then all the way north up the cycleway, a... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Another office picnic ride in Hagley Park

Another office picnic ride in Hagley Park

For the second year, GHD Christchurch arranged a lunchtime picnic ride to encourage staff to ride a bike. Today we had a beautiful day warm day to go for the relaxed 3.5km ride off road. We had ano... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Carpe diem-seize the day-grip the handlebars-commandeer the towball

Carpe diem-seize the day-grip the handlebars-commandeer the towball

For the last several years I have been wanting to bike part of the way to work. Problem: it’s 56km between home and Christchurch!! If I could just bike some of it I would be happy. Well happier tha... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story Cargo Bike Thrills

Cargo Bike Thrills

I have been a bicycle nut for years and always try to ride everywhere (better for the planet, and better for my fitness and stress levels). Last year I decided to buy a cargo bike to take the next ... read more

Topic: Other

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Riding into the sunset

When I first met my now husband I knew that he loved mountain bike riding, yet I had not been on a bike since I out grew my childhood bike.
Yet (with my permission) he purchased me a cross cou... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Good Luck

I will not be taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge this year, and as I am the only one from my work place taking part, I withdraw from this event. I was made redundant from my job this mornin... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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How I met my wife and later proposed

I was riding with my sister in Riverhead Forrest Auckland in 1995 and met some friends and a group of their friends, one of whom caught my eye. After a number of fun filled years including regular ... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Baby on board

Baby on board

My husband and I met on a Friday night at after-work drinks - which we’d both quite naturally biked to. Many of our subsequent dates, leisure and general life together involved biking. I wasn’t z... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Getting Boostered!

Was planning to drive 3km up the road to get my booster shot but - it is Aotearoa Bike Challenge month so - why not cycle, I thought!

Went swimmingly. In fact it was really nice to cycle ... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Full month ahead

Will try to go for a ride everyday come sun or rain. I hope the bike holds!

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Downhill biking

Tried downhill mountain biking for the first time last week. Made it all the way to the bottom in one piece, hurrah!

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Bike life

My first bike was a Christmas present after I turned 5 years old. I was so excited, that I sneaked into the garage (where I was told NOT to go) to ride it. It was red, with a large front wheel and ... read more

Topic: Other

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Back in the saddle

After a bit of a tough year in 2020 change in job, change in house a new commute ride to work is getting the head and body heading back in a good direction.

Topic: My commute by bike

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10 minutes a day

This February, I have been inspired to ride every day. I normally travel everywhere on my bike, but now there's more reasons to bike on my days off. Even a 10 minute ride does wonders for my feelin... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story I believe the children are our future...

I believe the children are our future...

I think that my eight year old son sums it up with this quote which he put on a poster which he made for his classroom recently.

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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School's Cool!

Due to the latest Level 2 alert for ChCh and working from home for the next 3 days, I decided to take my daughter to school by bike this morning.
She is still small enough (just..) to fit on th... read more

Topic: Biking in the Coronavirus Era

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Image for story carrying bikes on  a bike

carrying bikes on a bike

I am involved in the Aranui Bike Fixup which receives old bikes which we restore and pass on to locals in Aranui who need them. I had six collected up and had to transport them 6km to the workshop,... read more

Topic: Carbon Crushers

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Silly old fart.

Hi all, I was told of this event by a friend at work and so far I am loving it. I had been thinking of riding the old bike again for some time but was put of by the traffic on the narrow county roa... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story Riding tandem with Telzey

Riding tandem with Telzey

The thing is, I live and work in a small town,so I don't really need a car. The main reason I have one is to get my cat to the vet. What to do? Find a bike-compatible, cat-friendly pet carrier of c... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Taking a moment in the bush

Taking a moment in the bush

When I drive I rarely take the time to enjoy the city I live in but with biking I an so easily stop, hop off and have a wee explore. Yesterday I decided to visit a piece of remnant bush in Christch... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Image for story A20 Alps to Ocean

A20 Alps to Ocean

On 5 Feb we cycled from Tekapo to Twizel passed canals, lake Tekapo, Ohau and Pukaki; scenery to die for. 6 Feb we biked to Ohau Lodge with a side trip to Ohau weir which was closed but very pictur... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The bike proposal

The bike proposal

My partner and I love to bike, and when camping at my favourite family spot, he took me on a bike ride to Mystery Lake - about a three hour climb! Half way the the wind was howling and I was pretty... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story Three Crashes & Love

Three Crashes & Love

Hubby and I met June 2015 and he was aware I loved to exercise alot, so we naturally went on a ride for one of our first dates.
I over estimated his biking fitness and he got cramp and was ve... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Image for story A false start, then up from there!

A false start, then up from there!

About 15 years ago I was on holiday in Europe with my boyfriend at the time. I hadn't been on a bike in many years, but we went for a ride on bikes that came free with our accommodation. I was a bi... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Biking with the ONE I LOVE

My husband is so romantic and came for 3 evening bike ride dates in a row. It was so special and I appreciate my husband biking with me. When I have been out biking and he sees me through the win... read more

Topic: My Bicycle Romance

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Stories from around the world

Image for story Snoopy Trail

Snoopy Trail

Watch out for Snoopy's in and around Fleet Street this Christmas. 12 in all. Map available Fleet Street Quarter website.

Topic: Other

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Image for story From the heart

From the heart

A few years ago l collapsed on my bicycle and ended up with a triple heart bypass. I am now back as a volunteer rider for Cycling UK in Aberdeen.

I take people on small rides to give them ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Quick stop for play in sand

Quick stop for play in sand

Love our bike rides around our beautiful home here on the sunshine coast

Topic: Ride with kids

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Ridiculous bike spaces on a train

I cycle to the train station 5 days a week and then commute to work on my bike when I get off . .After a day's work the last place I want to be is sat on the floor when there are free seats becaus... read more

Topic: Other

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Ride in Cemeteries! (Respectfully, of course)

Riding in cemeteries is an underrated adventure by bike in spooky season and beyond. Tranquil landscaping, light traffic and winding roads make cemeteries ideal spots to enjoy a peaceful ride. Mean... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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Image for story 300 KM of Silence and Spirit

300 KM of Silence and Spirit

A Personal Ride by me, Md. Imjamul Hoque Bhuiyan

It was still dark when I pulled my helmet strap tight. 5:30 a.m. — Chittagong still asleep, the streets hushed like dawn was holding its br... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Slow and steady wins the Race!

Slow and steady wins the Race!

I received my September roundup from Love to Ride this morning and I was pleasantly surprised to note that my number of 'cycling trips' were up 115% and 'cycling miles' up by 205% Wow! - I thought ... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Image for story Mental health

Mental health

So I came across this app one day on Facebook so I signed up just to track my progress then I seen there was a challenge September with my mental health was a bit low off feeling overweight and unf... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Image for story Border C2C Part 1

Border C2C Part 1

I love being off road in the countryside and commenced a DIY C2C mainly off road via Solway Firth/The Wall/Forest/Tyne in the summer. Unfortunately I had to halt at Hexham to return to Preston &... read more

Topic: Encouraging others to ride

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Wanting to Ride Again 🚲

[address removed]

Kia ora,

My name is Scott, I have been living with a permanent lower back injury that has affected the function of my right leg since 2014. My injury has resulte... read more

Topic: Other

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Image for story AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

AWS outage weekend and doubled up log entries

After the AWS problems last weekend, October 18-19 2025, I noticed an error on Monday 20th when I tried to log a ride. I tried again, and again, and later in the day I tried again. What I did not n... read more

Topic: Other

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The Best Thing To Ever Happen To Me!

Last year a friend let me borrow their hybrid bike - lightweight, fast, FUN. I instantly fell in love. Shortly after, I purchased my own (secondhand, my usual choice). Riding felt like - and still ... read more

Topic: My first time on a bike in years

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Image for story The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

The William Gilbert School Wheelers ride to Paris!

We Did It! The William Gilbert Wheelers Rode to Paris – and Beyond!

This September as part of Mode Shift Month and Cycle September, William Gilbert Primary School proudly took part in the ... read more

Topic: A story from the Bike Challenge

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Bike ride

Every day, I ride my bike from school to and back around 2 miles (3.22 km) and I do this 5 days a week meaning 260 or so days of riding every year which is around 520 miles (ca. 837 km) every year... read more

Topic: My commute by bike

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Cycling Gave Me My Freedom

I was out on a nice pedal this morning. The sun was starting to ride and the sky was a beautiful orange. Everything was calm and perfect. I thought back to when I was a child and realised, cycling ... read more

Topic: A happy riding memory

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